Water's Edge Dermatology New Year's Resolution: Free Skin Cancer Screenings for Florida Firefighters

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Dec. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Water's Edge Dermatology is urging all Florida firefighters within reach to schedule an appointment for a skin cancer screening in January 2018, free of charge, at any of 24 participating office locations listed below.

As reported by CNN, new research reveals FL firefighters are diagnosed with skin cancer a startling seven times more often than the state's general population.

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine study of nearly 2,400 firefighters also shows that while the average age statewide for a potentially fatal melanoma diagnosis is 64, the average age among firefighters is 42.

Researchers theorize that a combination of sunshine, heat and elevated exposure to concentrated levels of soot and other carcinogenic substances may be the cumulative culprit. More study is coming to confirm and refine those theories – and to develop preventive measures.

In the meantime, the core concern of Water's Edge Dermatology is to do everything possible to use early detection and successful treatment to catch and conquer new cases of skin cancer among Florida's Bravest.

Practice founder and Medical Director Dr. Ted Schiff explains:

"The statistics are clear. When detected early, the 5-year melanoma survival rate is about 98 percent. Skin cancer can be beaten, if detected soon enough, and treated effectively. With firefighters in our communities already facing life-and-death risks in the course of protecting us, anything we can do to help with early detection and treatment of skin cancer is an honor, and privilege."

When it comes to treatment of skin cancer, it's worth noting that Water's Edge Dermatology provides patients with options, offering both leading cancer treatments with the highest success rates.

Mohs surgery is a minimally invasive microsurgical procedure in use for decades, with the historically highest skin cancer cure rate. Mohs surgery is available at all Water's Edge Dermatology office locations.

Additionally, the practice has 5 Electron Beam Therapy (EBT) Radiation Centers at offices in: Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Okeechobee, Stuart and Wellington. EBT treatment is a nonsurgical treatment alternative that can "melt away" non-melanoma cancers with no incisions or scars.

Free Skin Cancer Screenings for Florida firefighters will be available for the month of January by calling any of the following local Water's Edge Dermatology offices, requesting a "FIREFIGHTER FREE SKIN CHECK" appointment, and showing firefighter ID at check-in.

ARCADIA: 863-491-6448
AVON PARK: 863-657-4022
DELRAY BEACH: 561-921-2221
FORT PIERCE: 772-595-5995
JUPITER: 561-222-2200
LADY LAKE: 352-775-0400
LAKE WALES: 863-949-4813
LAKE WORTH: 561-578-8100
LIGHTHOUSE POINT: 954-960-8880
OKEECHOBEE: 863-467-6767
PALM BAY: 321-220-6400
PALM BEACH GARDENS: 561-694-9493
PALM SPRINGS: 561-693-2121
PLANTATION: 954-642-2214
PORT CHARLOTTE: 941-235-2111
PORT ST. LUCIE: 772-335-3550
SEBASTIAN: 772-388-3551
SEBRING: 863-314-4407
ST. CLOUD: 321-766-4072
ST. LUCIE WEST: 772-871-1682
STUART: 772-219-2777
VERO BEACH: 772-257-7373
WELLINGTON: 561-296-9666
WEST PALM BEACH: 561-296-7710

Media Contact:

Daniel Tilson
561-694-9493
[email protected]

SOURCE Water’s Edge Dermatology